Appendix 1. In 1997, 1,000 places were provided on the scheme for people with disabilities (Disability Allowance and Blind Persons Pension).

Transcription

1 Appendix 1 Budget Changes since 1997 In 1997, 1,000 places were provided on the scheme for people with disabilities (Disability Allowance and Blind Persons Pension). In 1999, the Scheme was extended to those in receipt of Carers Allowance. In 2000, the Scheme was extended to those in receipt of Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement and Pre Retirement Allowance. From 1 July 2001 the scheme was extended, on a pilot basis (200 places) to those in receipt of Illness Benefit for 5 years or more. From April 2002 the qualifying period was reduced to 3 years. In April 2002, the scheme was extended to persons in receipt of Widows/Widowers Non Contributory, Pension Deserted Wife's Benefit/Allowance, and Prisoners Wife's Allowance. Provision was also made in 2001 to introduce a pilot scheme in - 3 Health Board areas to enable Long Term Unemployed return to work under the "Special Housing Scheme for the Elderly" and also their Unemployment 100% for two years. On completion the participant would have the option to avail of the Back to Work Allowance Scheme. From January 2003, the qualifying period for Jobseeker's Benefit/Allowance recipients was increased from 12 months to 5 years. From 1 March 2004, the qualifying period for Jobseeker's Benefit/Allowance recipients was reduced to 3 years. This only applies to persons taking up self-employment. The qualifying period for JB/JA recipients taking up work as an employee remains at 5 years. From 1 March 2006, the qualifying period for Jobseeker's Benefit/Allowance recipients was reduced from 3 years to 2 years. This also applies to persons over 50 years of age in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit/Allowance. Other qualifying payments are not affected. Periods spent in receipt of Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Direct Provision will count towards the qualifying period for Back to Work Allowance/Back to Work Enterprise Allowance provided the applicant establishes an entitlement to a relevant SW payment prior to commencing on the scheme. From 1 March 2007, entitlement extended to those who are in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance for 2 years or more at a weekly rate of less than (Single) or (Couple). From 1 May 2009, the qualifying period for Jobseeker's Benefit/Allowance recipients was reduced from 2 years to 1 year provided there is an underlying entitlement to JA. The duration payable for BTWEA was reduced from 4 years to 2 years, People who had previously participated in the BTWEA scheme and exhausted entitlement may be eligible to participate a second time after a period of five years has elapsed. The back to work allowance (employee strand) was closed to new applications from 1 May A new Short-term Enterprise allowance was introduced from that date and is linked to JB rate and duration. 1

2 Appendix 2 Enterprise Support Grant (ESG) Enterprise support Grant replaced the Technical Assistance and Training scheme from 16 th April It provides financial support to jobseekers that are approved and awarded /commenced on the Back To Work Enterprise Allowance or Short Tern Enterprise Allowance. Eligible Items for grant support as follows: Category Annual limit, Accountancy and related services including legal advice Up to % Advertising and marketing aids Up to % Business equipment Up to 1,000 20% Business mentoring (this can be offered free or at a reduced rate by Local Enterprise Officers (LEOs) or local development companies Up to % Business registration costs and fees Up to % Compliance, guidance and training Up to % Job-specific tools and equipment Up to 1,000 20% Office supplies and stationery Up to % Personal protective clothing and equipment Up to % Public liability insurance costs associated with setting up a business - no other insurance is eligible Short-term training on book-keeping, regulation, rollout of business plan, start-your-own-business and courses of training related to the start-up Up to 1,000 20% Up to % Signage Up to % Upgrading to premises where the premises is owned by the applicant Up to 1,000 20% Website registration, related services and production Up to % Combination of above in any 24-month period 2,500 Minimum contribution from applicant For those on Short Tern enterprise Allowance payment is on a pro-rate basis 937 Max (9 months) and 625 Max (6 months). NOTE: Public Liability Insurance is the only type of insurance covered under the ESG scheme. All other types, including vehicle insurance, should not be covered. 2

3 Appendix 3 ESF Checklist for Intreo Centres/ Local Offices/ Branch Offices This checklist relates to clients participating on Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Intreo Centres/ Local Offices/ Branch Offices should ensure that for these clients the following is available for inspection for at least 3 years from the 31 st of December after the client finishes on the scheme. Part A (to be completed at Activation Stage): (a) BTW2 form signed by the client (stored physically or electronically). (b) Evidence of registration with the Revenue Commissioners. (c) Evidence of the client eligibility (See scheme guidelines). (d) Evidence of participation on scheme. (e) Evidence of checks/progress/monitoring/verification reports and audits carried out. Part B (to be completed at Payment Stage): (f) Documentation setting out the rate the client receives per week/month and how it was calculated. (g) Evidence of any change of circumstances and revise rate. Where relevant documents should have the Structural Funds logo and the ESF logo and these should be 58mm by 19mm. There should also be a statement showing that the scheme receives ESF and YEI funding. The suggested statement is: The European Commission is providing co-funding to this scheme for participants under 25 years. The scheme is being backed jointly by the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Department of Social Protection on an equal funding basis. You may be contacted by the Department or its agencies for follow-up questions relating to ESF/YEI 3

4 Appendix 4 ESF/YEI NATIONAL CASCADE FLOWCHART OF THE ESF/YEI FINANCIAL MANGEMENT AND CONTROL SYSTEM E.U. Commission Certification of all Expenditure On Form C2 Certifying Body Department of Education and Skills Management Checks by Certifying Body Declaration of eligible expenditure On Form B3 Managing Authority / DES Declaration of eligible expenditure On Form B2 Management Checks by Managing Authority and Intermediary Body Intermediate Body DSP Declaration EU Funding of Compliance eligible expenditure Unit On Form B1? Policy Units / Operational Units Return of Expenditure Claim Beneficiary/Projects 4

5 Appendix 5 Logos for Use on ESF Documentation The following logos should be used for all ESF/YEI funded activity with a minimum size of W: 58mm X H: 19mm as below: English versions: EU ESF Logo Irelands Structural Funds Logo Irish versions: EU ESF Logo Irelands Structural Funds Logo 5